Black, white and Gray: Race relations in Churches of Christ

Black, white and Gray: Civil rights attorney who once challenged Lipscomb University in court receives the Christian university’s highest honor (reporting from Nashville, Tenn.). Page 1 lead. NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Forty-five years ago, civil rights attorney and preacher Fred Gray filed a lawsuit that exposed deep divides between black and white members of Churches of Christ.The 1967 lawsuit challenged the transfer of more than $400,000 in … Continue reading Black, white and Gray: Race relations in Churches of Christ

July 2012: GetReligion

Religion ghost? RIP Andy Griffith. Published July 4. Cure vs. change: Is there a difference? Published July 11. Powerful portrait of persecuted Pakistani. Published July 12. Coached by God? NYT profiles Olympic runner. Published July 16. A town, a cross and the Constitution. Published July 18. Faith in Aurora: Seeking heavenly answers. Published July 20. ‘Deeply religious’ victim forgives attacker. Published July 26. And now, … Continue reading July 2012: GetReligion

Is your church visitor-friendly?

Is your church visitor-friendly? Page 1 lead. When Sarah Stirman and her family moved to the Dallas area last summer, they visited half a dozen congregations. At each, their experience was basically the same. “Our family sat alone and was ignored before service started. If we were lucky, we were greeted during ‘shake and bake,’” she said, referring to the forced greeting period when the … Continue reading Is your church visitor-friendly?

Luter vs. Land

  Luter vs. Land As the Southern Baptist Convention prepares to install its first black president, observers disagree on how much clout Fred Luter will have in a denomination closely identified with high-profile figures such as Richard Land. Christianity Today story published online June 1. Who will be the face of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)? Will it be Fred Luter, the New Orleans pastor … Continue reading Luter vs. Land

June 2012: GetReligion

Richard Land has layers. Published June 1. Well handled snakes, in the Tennessean. Published June 5. Man bites dog in Dallas? Published June 9. The voiceless disappearing flock, again. Published June 11. Westboro nutjobs protest Billy Graham. Published June 14. Historic election for Southern Baptists. Published June 20. Who are these ‘Christian’ missionaries? Published June 21. Pod people: GetReligion news alert. Published June 24. Did … Continue reading June 2012: GetReligion

Training to lead: Lads vs. LTC

Training to lead: Lads vs. LTC (reporting from Indianapolis). Currents. INDIANAPOLIS — The crowd was loud and rowdy, ready to explode with excitement. From all over the Midwest — and as far away as New York — they had traveled for the big event, filling a downtown hotel. Giant red banners and colorful balloons decorated the stage. Hundreds of trophies adorned a white-clothed table. But before … Continue reading Training to lead: Lads vs. LTC

May 2012: GetReligion

A pastor loses her faith. Published May 3. Ghost in Mariano Rivera’s comeback? Published May 5. Shocking! A lavish television ministry. Published May 7. Josh Hamilton’s ‘blessing from above.’ Published May 9. AP editorializes on Girl Scouts. Published May 11. Ghost at Catholic girls school. Published May 15. Slow-pitch screamer on the Godbeat. Published May 19. Church and the single life. Published May 21. NPR, … Continue reading May 2012: GetReligion

A rocky road for Mexico missions

A rocky road for Mexico missions: Amid violence south of the U.S. border, many churches rethink travel plans (reporting from Aquiles, Mexico). Page 1. First Place (part of three-story portfolio), Magazine News Religion Reporting, Religion News Association Finalist (part of three-story portfolio), Supple Feature Writer of the Year Award, Religion News Association Third Place, General News Reporting, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. … Continue reading A rocky road for Mexico missions

April 2012: GetReligion

Child baptisms spur legal dispute. Published April 4. Did woman really survive abortion? Published April 5. Concerning Obama’s faith, where’s the (journalistic) beef? Published April 11. A lion, a lamb and a controversy, oh my! Published April 15. Why do Baptists oppose Texas lottery? Published April 17. Defying the archbishop in Seattle? Published April 18. Is AP ‘desperately seeking Pulitzers?’ Published April 20. Pod people: Case … Continue reading April 2012: GetReligion